NORTHWEST MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

147 W. Hintz Rd.

Wheeling, IL. 60090

Phone: (847) 537-2306

Fax: (847) 537-2583

www.nwmadil.com

 

Mosquito Update

May 6, 2004

 

 

PRESENT CONTROL STATUS:

 

NUISANCE MOSQUITOES

Cool temperatures and below average rainfall has slowed nuisance mosquito development.  Early season adult mosquitoes have already been reported in woodland areas.  Trap counts are still very low due to low nighttime temperatures.  Very low numbers of Aedes stimulans have been caught in light traps. The floodwater mosquito (Aedes vexans) has been found vernal pond areas but dry conditions have so far limited numbers of this species.  If additional rains occur numbers of nuisance mosquitoes will increase depending on temperatures. 

 

Crews have begun treating standing water areas with the insect growth regulator methoprene.

 

CULEX MOSQUITOES

Adult and larval Culex (Cx.) mosquitoes have already been collected in low numbers.  Gravid traps are already collecting Culex.  20 egg rafts were collected over several days in some gravid traps.  Fourth instar mosquito larvae (Cx. restuans) have already been found in stagnant water containers like old tire casings.  Cx. restuans is a fairly common species in our area and has been found infected with West Nile Virus previously in Illinois.  We still do not know its exact role in the transmission of West Nile Virus.  Like many other species of mosquitoes that have been found infected with the virus; that doesn’t necessarily mean the mosquito can transmit the virus to humans or other mammals.   Cx. restuans is thought to play a role in the amplification cycle of the virus in birds earlier in the season prior to Cx. pipiens pipiens becoming abundant. Cx. pipiens pipiens is still considered the primary mosquito transmitting the virus to humans in our area based on infected mosquito abundance.  Residents of the District are advised to inspect their properties for stagnant water filled containers that may produce these types of mosquitoes.  Examples of mosquito production areas encountered by homeowners can be viewed at: http://www.nwmadil.com/breeding sites1.htm

 

Crews have begun treating off-road catch basins with 150-Day briquettes of methoprene.  Street catch basin treatments will begin the end of May.  

 

 

DIRECTOR’S NOTE:  Once again I wish to thank those cities/villages that provided maps of off-road & backyard catch basins, subterranean vaults, pumping stations, flood control structures, tire pile locations and new building constructions!  Your assistance will help our control efforts to further minimize the effects of West Nile Virus.

 

MOSQUITO VIRUS SURVEILLANCE IN ILLINOIS

Dr. Linn Haramis, Manager of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Arbovirus Surveillance Program reports that the State’s dead bird surveillance program for West Nile Virus (WNV) began May 1st.  Currently no WNV infected birds or mosquitoes have been reported yet in 2004.  More information about WNV can be found on the state’s website www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/wnv.htm or by calling 217-782-5830.  The State’s website also has other valuable resource links on WNV, pesticides and mosquito control.

 

NWMAD will continue using the VecTest for detection of West Nile, St. Louis and Eastern Equine encephalitis in adult mosquito collections.   Mosquito batches testing positive for these viruses will be posted at the following website address http://www.nwmadil.com/VECTEST2004.htm. 

 

NWMAD WEBSITE:

The NWMAD website (www.nwmadil.com) has been upgraded adding additional information on homeowner mosquito control practices specifically addressing WNV control.  New information on mosquito biology has also been added.  The Mosquito Update newsletter is available at this site as well as information on the history of NWMAD, personnel contacts, mosquito information links, employment opportunities and spray schedules. 

 

REDUCING THE RISK OF MOSQUITO BITES:

Avoid outdoor activity if possible from dusk to dawn when the mosquitoes bite the most.  If you do go out wear light colored, loose fitting, protective clothing and insect repellent (always read label warnings and directions).  Make sure mosquitoes do not enter homes through unscreened or broken doors or windows.   Residents are encouraged not to create mosquito harborage areas.  Make sure tall grassy areas are trimmed and other unnecessary vegetation is cut back.  If plants must be watered do so in the morning so the vegetation and soil has a chance to dry making it less attractive to mosquitoes.  Empty any containers holding stagnating water for 5 days or longer like: tire casings, birdbaths, flowerpots and barrels that may produce mosquitoes. Neglected swimming pools may produce thousands of mosquitoes.  Call the District to report large stagnant water areas that remain wet for more than 7 days.

 

 

 

Mike Szyska

Director

(Email: Director@nwmadil.com)

 

 

 

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INFORMATION TO APPROPRIATE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.